Katie's Blog

It’s hard to believe that I only have a few hours left at the State.  I’ve had a really great time here and feel that I’ve been able to grow immensely.  I’d like to thank everyone for their time and patience with me this month.  Truly, it has meant a lot.

My review of this experience : 

During the month of January 2010, I worked as an intern at the State of Iowa Economic Development Department (IDED), more specifically in the Downtown Resource Center.  The Downtown Resource Center is the state headquarters for the Main Street Iowa program.  The staff assists the Main Street communities in any way possible, varying from training and technical assistance to the actual design of new projects.  The Main Street Iowa program has been running for almost 25 years and is one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country.    

 

While at IDED, I completed a case study on four sites within Main Street communities in Iowa.  Each of these four sites received a HUD/Main Street Challenge Grant, ranging in amounts from $21,650 to $50,000.  These grants went to fund a rehabilitation project on an historic building that is usually listed on the National Register of Historical Places.  These four projects were chosen because of their varying project cost and population of their surrounding community. 

 

While researching these cases, I was able to analyze the economic impact of the rehabilitation on the Main Street community.  I visited the sites and met with the property owner and developer to discuss cost/financing of the project, how they preserved the historical building, what types of environmentally-conscious products/systems they implemented, and job creation that stemmed from the opening of the establishment post-renovation.  In addition, I spoke with them about the impact the opening of the restored building has had on the surrounding business owners.

 

I analyzed these figures within an economic impact model created by Donovan Rypkema, Principal at PlaceEconomics, to determine statewide economic activity generated by these rehabilitation efforts.  I compiled my information into a marketing piece for each case study as well as a comparative chart that describes the economic impact.  These pieces will be placed on the State’s website and used within Senator Harkin’s office.   

 

Cornell College’s One-Course-At-A-Time class structure helped me immensely during my time at the State.  At the beginning of this internship, I was intimidated by the large amount of work that was expected of me.  However, just like a class at Cornell, I made progress one day at a time.  I was able to use the same time management skills instilled in me while at Cornell to effectively use my time to finish the project by deadline. The fast paced learning style that Cornell requires to be successful was present during this internship and I feel that I was able to excel because of my previous challenges in the classroom on the block plan. 

 

Aside from the class structure, the coursework in my Economics and Business classes aided me in understanding local markets.  I used this base of knowledge to begin to understand how the rehabilitation of one building can affect surrounding businesses, resulting in a beneficial domino effect.  Additionally, I needed to learn and retain a lot of unfamiliar information, much like Intermediate Microeconomics.  That class, in particular, prepared me mentally for the type of critical analysis and time management that was required to be successful at this internship.

My short time with IDED has taught me a lot.  I learned the basics of historic rehabilitation as well as gained a deeper understanding of the Main Street program.  I benefited greatly by seeing projects that had already been completed.  It allowed me to see how a small amount of grant money can really make a difference at the local level including job creation and revenue increases for surrounding businesses.  Analyzing the economic impact model allowed me to see the benefit in numerical amounts, which was important for the comparison of projects. 

 

This experience has been greatly beneficial on an educational level as well as a professional level.  This internship confirmed my belief in the importance of great management.  The way that the members of the Downtown Resource Center conduct themselves is fantastic.  Everyone is truly part of a team and can rely on their colleagues for support.  The director, Thom, leads by example.  He expects great things from his employees, individually and cohesively as a department.  His availability and openness to questions was great.

 

I really respect the hard work that this department does on a daily basis while still managing to have a little fun.  The attitude of each member of the office was very positive, creating a great working environment.  They enjoy what they do and it definitely shows.  The culture within the office is wonderful and I couldn’t imagine a better environment to learn and work in.       

This internship has solidified my future career goals.  With experience at the city and state level of government, I have been able to see both sides of the fence.  I would be very happy working within either branch.  I feel that public service is important and I’d like to continue to work in this sector.  My short time at the State has allowed me to refine my passion for economic development into a passion for historic rehabilitation and community development. 

 

My educational goals have not changed greatly since my work at the State of Iowa.  I would still like to go to Graduate School and get my Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Development.  However, this experience offered me exposure to a different area within urban development that I would like to learn more about. As a result of this experience, I hope to volunteer at the local Mount Vernon Main Street office and see what types of changes will be taking place in my own backyard.        

 

One last picture of me with the team:  Downtown Resource Center

 

Thanks for everything!

Today I originally had planned to go to Dubuque to visit the German Bank.  Unfortunately, the weather wouldn’t permit me to travel far, so I am in the office.  However, I can still share the incredible story that is the German Bank.

(See previous post for background information on The Bank).

 In the late 1990s, Steve Althoff bought the property and later began his renovations in 2002, after a fire destroyed much of the building.  The grant of $50,000 funded restorations that included:

• Restoration of original terra cotta façade,
• Redesign and construction of back porch,
• Replacement/repair of windows,
• Replacement of historic light fixtures,
• Replacement of restaurant and bar equipment/fixtures.

 The renovation of the German Bank building generated an additional $3.6 million in economic activity in Iowa as well as created 25 jobs (5 FTE/20 PTE).  The entire cost of the project was close to $1.6 million. 

Before Renovation:
Before Front
Before – Fire Damage
Before – Interior Fire Damage

After Renovation:
After – Exterior
After – Rear Exterior
After – Interior
After – Interior 2

In late 2009, The Bank was bought and is now “The Bank Bar & Grille”, serving Tex-Mex and American food.  It is a beautiful building, only adding to the impressive downtown community that is present in Dubuque.

This last week I will be working on one last case study, as well as compiling all of my materials into a marketing piece.  This piece will be four pages long.  Each case study will have their own page consisting of before/after pictures of the renovation, a brief paragraph about the project, and the impact they have had on their local community.  The design intern, Derek, has been helping me design the piece.  We’ll be working on this together this week. 

Tomorrow, I will be going to Dubuque, IA.  My last case study is on one of our biggest and most costly renovations - The German Bank.  This building originally opened in 1901, serving as the first bank in Iowa.  It remained a bank until 1932,  renamed American Trust & Savings Bank after World War One.  Since 1946, The Bank has seen different owners, but has been a restaurant and tavern.  It was placed on the National Historic Register in the late 1960s.  In the late 1990s, the building was bought by Steve Althoff.  Renovations for this project began in 2005 to repair damage from a fire.  They were granted $50,000 for this project.

I will continue once I have more information after my interviews tomorrow in Dubuque.  Pictures to follow as well.

Last Saturday, I met up with the team at the Des Moines Botanical Center.  We were joined by Governor Culver, Bret Mills (Iowa Dept. of Economic Development, Director), and a representative from Senator Harkin’s office.  [Senator Harkin was ill and unable to attend the event.]  The event was held to honor and announce the 14 recipients of the HUD VI Challenge Grants.  This is the sixth round of awards that have been disbursed since 2002.  Below is a list of the cities that received the grant money, along with grant award/total project cost, and an explanation of the project that will take place.  These rehabilitation efforts would not have been possible if it weren’t for this grant money.  I look forward to seeing these projects in their completed stage in the years to come.  I have no doubt about the immense impact these revitalization efforts will have on the vitality of their local communities.

Bloomfield:  Grant $48,000
(total project cost $96,000)                                                                                                         

J.H. Leon Bldg located at 104 South Washington Street, Bloomfield, IA 52537

Project Description:

The historic J. H. Leon Building (c.1891) has been vacant for over 10 years, and has contributed to the blight of the east side of the Bloomfield Square. The original transom glass has been covered for more than 50 years. Neglect and poor maintenance has affected the neighboring buildings, and rodents inhabit the property. The project will be a total renovation of the front and rear façade and porch, and a new roof; as well as high efficiency interior mechanicals and finishes. Upon completion, the building will have a new life; with commercial space on the first floor, and a housing unit on the upper level.   

Cedar Falls: grant $60,000             
(total project cost $182,290)       

The Bruhn Building located at 407 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA  50613

 Project Description:

The renovation of the alley behind 407 Main Street in Cedar Falls is a forward-thinking, strategic move on the part of the business owner.  The project is the unique creation of a green space and ecologically positive environment, including “Green Walls” and permeable pavement, as part of the non-traditional use of the rear space/parking lot of a restaurant.  The area will be transformed into a gathering space, entrance, outdoor dining room, and vertical garden that together exemplify the concept of ecological management and sustainability through repurposing Main Street space that was previously disregarded.

Cedar Rapids (Czech Village/New Bohemia): grant $50,000  
(total project cost $307,000)

Suchy Building located at 1006 Third Street S.E., Cedar Rapids, IA  52302

Project Description:

The two-story Suchy Building (c.1907) is a contributing structure to the Bohemian Commericial District, the Czech Village/New Bohemia Cultural District, and the new Main Street Urban Neighborhood District of Czech Village/New Bohemia.  Since being devastated by 12 feet of floodwater in June, 2008, the structure has been gutted and cleaned.  This project will rehab the entire structure in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards so that it can once again make an active contribution to the revitalization of the neighborhood as a restaurant, with the second floor rehabilitated to accommodate apartment living. 

Davenport (Hilltop Campus Village): Grant $37,500     
(total project cost $261,308)

1514 Harrison Street, Davenport, IA

Project Description:

This project includes the total restoration of a mixed-use property in Davenport’s new Urban Neighborhood District.  The work includes improvement of the appearance of the façade, renovation of four long-vacant apartment units on the second floor of the building; and the redesign of the former retail space on the first floor to make it suitable for occupancy by a new commercial business.

Dubuque: Grant $100,000        
(total project cost $4,240,572)

Riverworks Building located at 44-48 Main Street, Dubuque, IA  52001

Project Description:

This project will sustainably rehabilitiate a vacant warehouse located at 44 Main Street (formerly known as the Schroeder-Kleine Groer Building) into 24 market-rate apartments near the heart of downtown Dubuque.  The building is a three-story brick structure, totaling approximately 23,000 square feet.  The developers intend to preserve every historic aspect of the building. Concurrently, this project will establish benchmarks for additonal development of market-rate apartments, which are desperately needed to accommodate an explosion in growth of the downtown Dubuque workforce.     

Hamilton County S.E.E.D: Grant $40,000             
(total project cost $103,625)       

Shorthorn Building located at 626 Main Street, Jewell, IA

Project Description:

AM & FM  Investments plan to continue the restoration of 626 Main Street (c. 1924) in Jewell.  When this phase is completed, the building will provide commercial space on the first floor, with apartments above. Geothermal heating and foam insulation are being used for efficiency. Additional improvements will include flooring, dry-wall and entrance repairs so that the building is ready for commercial and residential occupancy.  This project will save a building that has been vacant since 1989 from demolition and will continue historic preservation efforts in Hamilton County.

Mason City: Grant $50,000                   
(total project cost $360,000)

J.E.E. Markley Bldg located at 209-211 North Federal Street, Mason City, IA  50401

Project Description:

Renovation of the second floor of the J.E.E. Markley Building (c. 1903) will produce chic and eco-friendly residential lofts, and breathe new life into an unused space.  The project will create four upscale residential units that will retain the historic nature of this highly visible building in downtown Mason City.  Architectural details such as wood paneling and pocket doors will be salvaged for re-use, and original design elements including hardwood floors and skylights will be refurbished as part of the project. 

State Center: Grant $66,500
(total project cost $677,975)                                                                                                                     

City Hall located at 118 East Main Street, State Center, IA  50247

Project Description:

The State Center City Hall and Community Center (c.1950) contains all city operational functions including the Clerk’s Office, Council Chambers, American Legion facilities and a Community Room.  The office and chamber spaces are undersized and the upper level has been under-utilized due to the lack of an elevator and restrooms.  Exterior facades will be restored, windows, in-filled in the 1970’s, will be reopened, and ramp access will be added.  The mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded to meet current codes and improve efficiency, and the interior will be upgraded throughout.           

Story City: Grant $66,500
(total project cost $632,400)                                                                                                                       

Cook Family Dentistry located at 628 Broad Street, Story City, IA  50248

Project Description:

The empty lot on the southeast corner of Broad and Elm in downtown Story City has been vacant for as long as anyone can remember.  The proposed new construction will be a 2,800 square-foot single story, fully handicap accessible building to be used as the new Cook dental office.  It will be appropriately designed to honor the integrity of Story City’s Main Street district and its existing historical buildings. The project will generate new tax base,  enhance the entryway into the downtown, and serve as a catalyst for other projects.

Washington: Grant $20,500                     
(total project cost $41,709)

Bodywrx Fitness Center located at 110 South Iowa Avenue, Washington, IA

Project Description:

This project is the first phase of the owner’s plan to rehabilitate the building (c.1870) according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.  The 1960’s metal covering and awning will be removed from the façade of the building to reveal the historic brick front that will be repaired and tuck pointed.  Store front windows and doorway will be replaced with energy efficient glass, and a new cloth awning will be installed. The upper story windows, now blocked in, will be replaced with energy efficient windows.  Restoration of the historic features and opening up access to the upper story of this building will demonstrate a commitment to the success of the community.

Waterloo: Grant $50,000
(total project cost $782,281)                                                                                                                       

Montgomery Ward Building/Courier Building located at 503 Commercial Street, Waterloo, IA  50701

Project Description:

Over the years, downtown Waterloo has lost its presence as a shopping destination, and many of the buidings were converted to other uses or abandoned.  The Montgomery Ward Building (c. 1938) had housed the Courier newspaper printing operations from 1971 until 2008.  The project will include renovation, replacement or repair of the exterior windows, masonry and slate roof, and will create a new entrance with appropriate signage.  The interior renovation will include new finishes, restrooms and systems throughout the 11,600 square foot main level, and will house INVISION Architecture.  The second floor will be renovated for professional office tenant space.

West Branch: Grant $100,000                
(total project cost $247,555)

Historic C.W. Wickersham Post Office located at 116 West Main Street, West Branch IA

Project Description:

Designed to be an elegant focal point in downtown West Branch, the 1907 Post Office building has spent most of the last 70 years as a gas station.  Appropriate mitigation will need to occur to allow the building to be renovated as a Winery Tasting Room and Events Center.  Plans are to utilize the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards to return the building to its original state. The original post office space will be used for the tasting room and for retail sales, and the adjacent building will be repurposed for restrooms, kitchen, office and storage.  The restored buildings will be constructed to meet all environmental standards, and ADA requirements

West Union: Grant $100,000                
(total project cost $2,388,100)

100 Block of North Vine Street

Project Description:

The city of West Union intends to create a mid-scale, innovative, city-owned, central business district geo-thermal heating and cooling utility system with a geothermal hybrid radiant-heat-ice-melt system allowing for synergies that will increase the cost effectiveness of both systems.  This commercial-scale system that will initially serve six blocks of the downtown area is just one component in the Green Pilot Project planned for downtown West Union, which includes reconstruction of the streets and sidewalks using green and sustainable elements.  The completed  project will serve as a showcase that demonstrates how to integrate a variety of climate-friendly activities.

Woodbine: Grant $33,000
(total project cost $67,760)                                                                                                                       

Jess Watson Eye Brow Gas Station, located at 313 Walker Street, Woodbine, IA  51579

Project Description:

The Challenge Grant funds will be used to remodel the historic “eyebrow” gas station into a new, green, multipurpose Main Street/Chamber Office and Welcome Center for Woodbine.  Located one block off of Woodbine’s section of the original Lincoln Highway near the entrance to the city, the renovated space will extend the existing historic corridor and pictorially display the development of the community. The project will include exterior cosmetic improvements, infrastructure improvements, interior upgrades, landscaping and signage; while addressing the issues of sustainability, energy conservation and conservation of storm water.  

 At the end of the event, I met Governor Culver.  He is a strong supporter of the Main Street Program and fully approves the usage of these funds for rehabilitation.  It was great to see someone of his standing within the government supporting this type of redevelopment at the local level.  Leadership is incredibly important throughout this process and I’m glad to say that he is on board.

Me with Governor Culver After the Event

Bret Mills, Thom Guzman (Director of the Downtown Resource Center), and Governor Culver all spoke at the event.

Bret Mills
Thom Guzman
Governor Culver

The event was largely successful and was put together very quickly by everyone at the Downtown Resource Center.  Your hard work is very appreciated!

I cannot believe it’s already been three weeks.  This experience has truly flown by and I’m sad to say that it is almost over.  These past three weeks have been an incredible learning experience.  Not only am I learning the inner-workings of the State government, but I am learning about another aspect of Urban Development, historical rehabilitation.  My time spent at the State has only further confirmed that this is what I want to do with my career.

This internship has been a crash course in historical rehabilitation.  It’s involved a lot of reading of applications and documents to simply understand the project at hand.  However, I’ve learned much more than what HUD does and what HUD Challenge Grants do.  I’ve been able to actually see how the funding works and affects a community firsthand.  This experience has put into practice my knowledge of local markets at the microeconomic level.  I have been able to use the basics of supply and demand to analyze prices of services and accomodations.  It is much more than simply reading reports and visiting sites.  It is seeing economic growth and development within local communities. 

I don’t think I could have imagined a more fulfilling internship in such a short amount of time.  I’m grateful for the time and resources that everyone at the State has given to me, it has truly been a pleasure.

Yesterday, I went to meet with Pete Hill in downtown Cedar Falls.  He is the owner of the First National Bank Building, as well as two adjacent buildings.  Pete was the recipient of a HUD Challenge Grant in the amount of $21,650.  He partnered in his Challenge Grant Application with Dan Tindall, owner of the Blackhawk Hotel, to receive a $50,000 grant split between the two of them.

 The First National Bank Building was constructed in 1906. 

First National Bank
National Bank 2

Pete bought the building in 2000 and was eager to start renovations.  His first round of construction (completed before the HUD Challenge Grant) was to build second floor loft apartments in what is now known as the Jiva Building.  There are currently four lofts; two two- bedroom residences, and two one-bedroom residences.

Loft 1
Loft 2
Loft 3

 The money disbursed to Pete Hill from the Challenge Grant was used to remove the old, blue-colored brick from the building. 

Blue Brick on Building

In addition, this money helped fund the removal of the metal canopy that hung above the door. The removal of the metal canopy allowed the columns in front of the building to be seen.  Once these two projects had been completed, the Aveda Salon became the tenant for the first floor commercial space.  The new exterior offers an updated version of the original façade, presenting a beautifully restored historical look. The buildings adjacent to the Jiva Building are now filled with offices. 

Aveda Salon
Me with Pete Outside the Jiva Building

Yesterday, I went and visited downtown Cedar Falls.  While in the area, I snapped a few photos of the Blackhawk hotel.  It is an historical building that has been beautifully renovated.  Please click link below and hit “play slideshow”.  All 6 photos are of the Blackhawk Hotel located in Downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa.

I will be having my Skype meeting with Dan Tindall tomorrow, owner of the Blackhawk Hotel.  More info to come!

Blackhawk Hotel Album

The next case I’ll be working on is the Blackhawk Hotel, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  This hotel is a renovated building from the 1850s.  Originally, it was a hotel also.  This building was the Winslow House hotel, Western, and Carter House before it burned down in the late 1870s.  By  1885 the building was owned by the Burr family and was renamed “Burr’s Hotel”.  Finally, in 1914, John Ralston renovated the building and opened what is now the Blackhawk Hotel. 

The owner of the hotel received a $28,350 Challenge Grant for rehabilitation of this building.  This grant money went to fund renovations made to the facade and foyer of the building.  In addition, the building’s aesthetic components were destroyed in a previous remodel.  This value was to be restored with architectural designs in the interior and exterior, as well as  period-appropriate signage.

Unfortunately, I will not be going to the Blackhawk Hotel to meet with the owner because he is out of the country.  However, I have a Skype meeting scheduled with him next week so I can get the answers to my questions.

For more information on the Blackhawk Hotel, please see their website: Blackhawk Hotel

Off for a wonderful 3 day weekend!

Yesterday, I made the trek about 3 hours Southeast to the tiny town of Bonaparte, Iowa.  While on my drive, I discovered a treasure unbeknownst to me; the American Gothic House!  I stopped for a few minutes to check out the site and take a few pictures.  I had absolutely no idea that this famous site is in a little town in Iowa. It was a great surprise.

American Gothic House

While I was in Bonaparte, I went to the Inn and spent some time with the owner, Jeri.  I asked her a number of different questions regarding her renovation process.  I took a tour of the inn and spent most time focusing on the third floor, where the renovations I am studying took place. 

Third Floor

Originally, the third floor was part of the pants and later glove factories.  Large machines were bolted into the floor and this can still be seen.  There is permanent indentation in the wood from workers that stood in the same spot, day after day, year after year.  The original floors are still in the building.

Indents in Original Flooring

The third floor of the Inn is now a large meeting space.  It is large enough to fit around 200 guests for an event.  Typically, this space is used for wedding receptions and even family Christmas parties booked by the locals of Bonaparte.  This floor has 38 original windows that offer beautiful views of the town and the neighboring Des Moines River.  In addition, this meeting room has a full bar as well as a gourmet kitchen for their catering service.

Event Space – Wedding
Event Space – Wedding 2

The Bonaparte Inn contains 13 guest rooms.  These rooms are all unique and have specific names.  They range in cost from $95 – $175 a night and offer updated amenities.  Jeri tried to preserve as much of the original building as she possibly could, and this resonates throughout the Inn.  In the lobby there is a case with gloves and other artifacts that were pulled from the wrecked building during the beginning of the renovation process.  The Inn holds its very own history.

Lobby with Glass Case and Artifacts
Guest Bedroom 1
Guest Bedroom 2

The Bonaparte Inn is a magnificent example of the many ways that the HUD Challenge Grant can aid and improve the renovation process.  It was great to see a successful project that is now completed and has guests on a regular basis.  The opening of the Inn has allowed the small city of Bonaparte (population 465) to capitalize on the revenues brought in from guests at the Inn.  This renovated building has stimulated other growth in Bonaparte’s Main Street community as well, and its benefits will be felt for many years to come.  Below is a picture of me with Jeri, the owner of the Inn, in the lobby.

Me with Jeri in the Lobby

The majority of this week was spent researching the Bonaparte Inn.  In order to do this, I’m reading over their entire file from HUD Challenge Grant.  This includes their application, award applications, and photos.  From their application, I can gain an in-depth understanding of the project that took place.

Phase 2 of the renovations to the Bonaparte Inn took place with the help of a $40,000 matching Challenge Grant.  This grant helped restore the entire third floor of the building, creating a kitchen and open ballroom/party area.  Currently, the owner is in the process of filing Phase 3 of the renovation to receive historical tax credits, as this building is within a Historic District.

While I am researching Bonaparte, I am paying attention to quite a few specific variables which I will use as comparison between the other projects.  These variables are: Building Age, Zoning, Total Sq Ft/floors, Foundation, HVAC, Electrical, Historical listing, Total cost, Tax Credits, Financial Initiatives.   In addition, next week I will be going to the Bonaparte Inn to interview the owner to talk about her renovation process.  I will be asking her about specific product recommendations, Bonaparte Inn specific design elements, etc.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished product at Bonaparte Inn!